Mayoral Column- 9 June 2021
Published on 09 June 2021
National Reconciliation Week was held between 27 May and 3 June. An Elders Morning Tea was held at Bridges Hill Park Playground on Monday 31 May. It was wonderful to see Council, elders, local schools and community members come together in the park’s Yarning Circle. The National Reconciliation Week event drew attention to this year's theme 'More than a word', which urges the reconciliation movement towards braver, more impactful action.
The Welcome to Country was presented by local Elder, Uncle Richard Edwards. Student speakers from Cessnock Public School, Cessnock West Public School and Cessnock High School shared powerful words acknowledging the importance of reconciliation. The Kurri Kurri Aboriginal Dance Group from Kurri Kurri Public School were wonderful, performing to both open and close the event. A big thank you to all who attended and were involved.
Two Candidate Briefings will be held on Thursday 24 June. The two hour briefings by Local Government NSW are being hosted ahead of the local government election on Saturday 4 September 2021, those considering standing for Council are urged to come along. For more information please visit Council’s website and book a spot. It is very important anyone considering becoming a local Councillor understands what it involves. These briefings are an opportunity to get an insight into what it takes to represent your local community.
The weather has cooled down and with it has come cold and flu season. As a community we need to remain COVID-safe. We all can contribute to each other’s safety by doing the right thing, like ensuring hand hygiene and getting tested if experiencing COVID-19 symptoms.
Council crews are working hard across the Cessnock Local Government Area to complete important improvement projects. Residents will notice works are progressing well on the Branxton to Greta shared cycleway. Stage one of the 3.3km cycleway that will connect the townships has been completed. Additionally, residents in East Branxton will notice the installation of the new playground at Brunner Park. Meanwhile works on the implementation of the Miller Park are going well. Shortly construction of a rebound wall and the installation of BBQ and park furniture will commence at Miller Park. Other works underway include the construction of the splash pad at Cessnock Pool, upgrade of Col Brown Rotary Park at Kurri Kurri and the construction of a number of shared pathways on Cumberland Street and Quarrybylong Street in Cessnock. Crews are also working on the construction of a shared footpath on Fourth Street, Weston.
In relations to roads projects shoulder widening has commenced on Sandy Creek Road at Quorrobolong and works are underway on Sandy Creek Road at Mount Vincent to improve road safety. Other projects set to commence shortly include Stage seven of Wollombi Road, Millfield. Road rehabilitation works are set to start this month. To keep up to date with Council’s projects you can visit the Council works section.